Firefighters Battle Blaze at Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead
More than 60 firefighters were called into action on Wednesday evening after a fire broke out at a recreational building within the Royal Free Hospital complex in Hampstead, North London. The blaze, which sent thick plumes of smoke into the air, prompted a swift response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB), who managed to bring the situation under control before it could escalate further.
The fire was reported shortly after 6:30 PM, with emergency services rushing to the scene from nearby stations. A total of eight fire engines were dispatched as part of the emergency response. The affected building, a standalone recreational facility used by hospital staff and visitors, was quickly evacuated. There were no reports of injuries, and hospital operations were not significantly disrupted thanks to rapid containment.
Eyewitnesses described seeing smoke rising from the building and flames visible from a distance, causing concern among patients, hospital workers, and local residents. “There was a lot of panic at first,” said John Lewis, a passerby who witnessed the incident. “But the firefighters were incredibly fast and professional. It was reassuring to see how quickly they got the fire under control.”
According to the London Fire Brigade, firefighters faced intense heat and heavy smoke upon arrival but were able to contain the fire to the single structure. They used breathing apparatus and multiple hose reels to douse the flames. The blaze was fully brought under control just before 9 PM, approximately two and a half hours after the initial call.
A spokesperson for the LFB said: “Crews worked incredibly hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby hospital buildings. Their swift action ensured that the main hospital facilities and services were unaffected. Our fire investigation team is now working to determine the cause of the blaze.”
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust released a statement thanking the emergency services for their swift and efficient response. “We are extremely grateful to the London Fire Brigade and emergency responders for their quick action this evening. Thanks to their efforts, there were no injuries, and patient care at the hospital has not been impacted.”
Local authorities are working with fire investigators to assess the extent of the damage to the building, which served as a rest and recreation space for hospital staff. Early indications suggest the structure has sustained significant fire and smoke damage.
The incident has sparked praise for the firefighters on social media, with residents and hospital staff expressing their appreciation for the rapid response. One nurse tweeted, “Massive thank you to the firefighters who tackled the blaze at Royal Free. Your bravery and quick thinking saved lives tonight.”
Though the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials have ruled out foul play at this stage. The London Fire Brigade expects to release a full report in the coming days.
As cleanup operations begin, hospital services continue to operate normally, with contingency plans in place should further safety assessments be required.
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